The Qwillery has also posted a review, is hosting a giveaway for a book (you can choose either The Forgotten or The Stolen) and some swag. As if that wasn’t enough, The Qwillery has also posted an on-camera interview I did during New York ComicCon. It is my first such interview, and it was a lot of fun.

It might surprise some people that I link to and share reviews that aren’t full of praise or adulation, though none of the three above are bad. While it’s true I don’t see myself ever posting an outright negative review, I’m okay with reviews that say the book was good, if not great, so long as the review is honest, and I think it explains why the reviewer thought that way. It’s not an easy thing as a writer to let your child go off into the world, and harder still to find there are people who really don’t think it’s the single greatest thing ever. For the record, it is, they’re just wrong. However, I don’t get to say they’re wrong. I released the book, it belongs to the world now. I can disagree with a review, I can be genuinely sorry the reviewer didn’t enjoy it, but I can’t say they’re wrong. It’s their experience with the book, and it’s their own. I actually appreciate all reviews, truly, even the bad ones, though I obviously prefer the good ones.

Sure, I hope absolutely everyone reads and enjoys my books. But, since I’m not an idiot, I know that isn’t possible. So if someone reads my book (thanks for that first of all) and then also took the time to write a review, well it’s something I appreciate; I know how precious time can be. Even if they didn’t like the story, perhaps they’ll save someone of a like mind the time of reading it, and instead guide them to a book more to their liking. Don’t get me wrong, I want the book to sell, but why would I want someone to read it who isn’t going to enjoy it?

Reviews are a tough thing for writers, but the most important thing to remember is that the reviews aren’t for us, they’re for other readers. When a book is published, we’ve given it away to the world, and the world gets to do with it as it pleases. That’s cost of being a published author. That being said, sometimes there is something to be learned from a bad review, an area you can learn from and improve. It’s up to the writer to make the most out of every review, good or bad. If it’s just negative, well the person just didn’t like it, let it go (I know that’s much easier said than done sometimes) and move on.

All that being said: my books are truly the greatest ever, and everyone, everywhere should buy them, read them, and tell everyone they know how amazing the books are.

Attention: the preceding statement was said with tongue so firmly planted in cheek, it’s amazing the words could be understood.